Rosemary Hale: Teacher, Mentor, Trailblazer, Life-Changer.
Many people remember a teacher or professor who changed their life—the one who led by example, saw what they were capable of and challenged them to achieve it, and supported them along the way. For many who studied economics at the College, that person was Professor Rosemary Hale.
A Lasting Impact
After starting her career as an intelligence analyst in the War Department during WWII, Hale joined the College in 1946. The first woman to teach economics at the College, she rose to Chair of the department and became the College’s first recipient of the James D. Vail III Endowed Chair.
Hale became well known for bringing exacting standards into the classroom, coupled with mentoring and relentless advocacy for students. Since Hale brought the study of economics to life for students, it remains one of the most popular majors at the College. Her classes, advising, and internships were “memorable for her students, maybe even life-altering,” according to colleague Professor of Economics Emeritus, Rob Baade.
In addition to mentoring countless students and leading the way for women in the economicsdepartment, the impact of Hale’s forward-thinking perspective can still be felt at the College today. She believed that students needed experience working in their field to build skills, network, and better define their interests. Hale used her network within the local business community to create internship opportunities for students, which were the seed for the College’s first structured internship program founded in 1974.
Investing In A Legacy
Steve Osborn '75 is one student who Hale had a significant impact on. To memorialize her influence on his career, Osborn directed a $1 million investment to the College to establish the Professor Rosemary Hale Fund for Teaching and Learning.
We hope to grow this fund to $2 million to establish a fully endowed chair in her name, which would help ensure that the College attracts and retains top-tier faculty and supports groundbreaking research and teaching. Through donors' generosity, the College will continue Professor Hale’s legacy by inspiring and preparing the next generation to embrace learning and excel in their own professional paths.